Source: JSO of TNAsylum.com
Eric Young came out to the ring and talked about how Slammiversary will be the biggest match of his life in 3 days. MVP came out with Lashley and Kenny King on the stage. MVP said he can beat EY by himself to become the new World Champion. EY asked MVP for a fair fight at the PPV, but MVP said he can’t guarantee that his buddies won’t get involved. EY said he doesn’t approve of any dirty shenanigans in wrestling and he’ll do anything to make sure that doesn’t happen.
MVP said he’ll allow EY to pick the stipulation for the PPV if he can beat the three of them. King interrupted and said EY is such a loser that he couldn’t beat the two of them. MVP said it doesn’t matter because EY is in a no-win situation. EY talked about accomplishing his dream of becoming the champion. MVP said EY will face Lashley up next.
Reaction: I like how EY is portrayed as a wholesome champion – I really enjoy that aspect of his character. I’d rather see other feuds spread throughout this show, but EY in a gauntlet series is a not a bad way to build up the Slammiversary main event. Wrestling matters.
Eric Young vs. Bobby Lashley
Lashley used his power to take down EY early on. EY fought back, but Lashley continued to dominate with some strikes and slams. Lashley put EY in the torture rack. EY slid out, but Lashley overpowered him again. Lashley focused his offense on EY’s back. EY gained some momentum with punches and went for a few quick pin attempts. EY hit a dropkick on Lashley for a two count. Lashley caught EY off a splash and hit the running powerslam for the win. After the match, Samoa Joe came out but got manhandled by Lashley. Joe pulled down the top rope as Lashley charged at him to send the big man out of the ring.
Reaction: Good, fast-paced match. Lashley looked like a beast with his offense and picked apart EY with ease. From a technical standpoint, it should be interesting to see if they follow up on Lashley being the next title contender after (or maybe during) the PPV.
Backstage, Willow cut a bizarre promo about not being broken by Bram and Magnus.
Bram and Magnus came to the ring for a promo. Magnus said it makes him sick to think about his run over the past six months. He said he will no longer to pretend to be somebody else and that with Bram by his side, they are unstoppable. Bram said Jeff Hardy needed an alter-ego to have a vicious edge, but he will now witness the real Mag Daddy.
Willow came out and talked in his weird voice. Willow said he is what Jeff Hardy can’t be and kept referring to “we” at Slammiversary. Magnus and Bram responded by saying Willow and Hardy are the same person. Willow revealed Abyss as his backup and all four men got into a brawl in the ring. Willow and Abyss cleaned house as Magnus held back an angry Bram.
Reaction: Glad to see the Magnus renounce his suit-wearing, cowardly ways. I’m gonna predict that Willow & Abyss get their revenge at the PPV, Hardy goes back to being himself, Abyss does whatever, and Bram & Magnus become a legitimate tag team.
Backstage, EC3 sported a bandage on his forehead from the First Blood match last week. He talked about his plans for Bully Ray and ended with his catchphrase.
Robbie E vs. Knux
The music and lights for the Menagerie played throughout the match. Rebel did a split on the apron, which distracted Jessie and allowed the Freak to hit him from behind. Knux did a running crossbody on Robbie. Robbie fought back and knocked down Knux with a flying clothesline. The Freak tossed Jessie and Zema into each other on the outside of the ring. Knux hit a sky high on Robbie for the pin. After the match, Crazzy Steve tied down his balloons on Robbie’s shorts, and Robbie freaked out and left the ring.
Reaction: Not surprised that this was a cartoon match, so to speak. I have no idea where this is going with Robbie E being afraid of clowns. The goofy comedy was funny, but hearing that music throughout the match gets irritating after a while.
Backstage, EC3 and Spud talked about their expose on Bully Ray tonight. Brooke Tessmacher was shown walking towards them to end the segment.
EC3 and Spud came out to the ring for a promo. They brought out Brooke Tessmacher and sat down in chairs like a talk show. They acknowledged that Brooke used to have a romantic relationship with Bully. EC3 and Spud started grilling Brooke with false accusations about Bully threatening to put her through a table and whatnot. Spud called for a spotlight and grilled Brooke some more. Spud pulled out an envelope and said he has the results. Spud yelled that Bully is the father and continued to hassle Brooke. She got back in Spud’s face and then EC3 threatened to teach her respect.
Bully Ray came out for the save as EC3 and Spud got out of the ring. Bully addressed Brooke about their past relationship. Bully said Brooke was a great girlfriend and hugged her. EC3 interrupted and said Bully’s pandering sickens him. EC3 challenged Bully to a tables match at Slammiversary. He said the only way Bully put Dixie through a table was over his dead body. Bully got the crowd chanting “Over your dead body.” Bully then challenged EC3 to a Texas Death Match and the match is official for this Sunday.
Reaction: Great segment. Spud is freaking hilarious. Nice to see Tessmacher back on TV (and the continuity with Bully from last year). I like the sound of a Texas Death Match for this Sunday. I also have high hopes for a spectacular EC3 performance, so I’m looking forward to that.
Backstage, Kenny King was amped up and said he’s got this as he headed towards the ring.
Eric Young vs. Kenny King
Lockup and chain wrestling to start. EY slammed down King but held his back in pain. King drilled EY with a kick to the head and targeted the back. EY fought back and took down King with some strikes. EY went to the top rope, but King cut him off with another kick to the head. King hit the Royal Flush and started posing to the crowd. King missed a springboard splash and EY capitalized with a piledriver for the win. EY is tied in the gauntlet at 1-1.
Reaction: Basic match. EY picked up a nice win after losing to Lashley earlier, and King was somewhat protected in the loss due to his showboating at the end.
Backstage, Madison Rayne talked about the Knockouts #1 contender’s match tonight.
Gail Kim vs. Brittany vs. Madison Rayne
Brittany and Madison double-teamed Gail to start the match. The Beautiful People came out as we went to commercial break. Back from the break, Gail cleaned house as Angelina and Velvet were on commentary. Gail trapped Brittany in a headscissors submission, but Madison did one to Gail as well. Gail rolled Madison into a pin attempt for a two count. Madison and Brittany hit a double superplex on Gail.
Madison and Brittany argued for a bit. Gail put Brittany in a figure four in the corner. The Beautiful People came to ringside and pulled Madison out of the ring. Angelina distracted the referee. Velvet tried to spray Gail in the face but missed and blinded Brittany instead. Gail capitalized with an Eat Defeat on Brittany for the pin. Gail is the #1 contender for the Knockouts Title at Slammiversary.
Reaction: I could have done without the hairspray, but the match itself was very solid. As for Slammiversary, it’s been about 6 years since Gail faced Angelina on PPV, so I’m curious to see if their match is better this time.
Eric Young vs. MVP
Lashley and King attacked EY from behind and tossed him into the ring. The bell rang and MVP took control heading into a commercial break. MVP continued to pummel EY back from the break. MVP applied a camel clutch, but EY fought out. MVP hit a vicious powerbomb on EY for a two count. EY nailed a running boot and grabbed a steel chair. MVP drilled EY in the back with the chair for the DQ loss.
After the match, MVP said he doesn’t care what stipulation EY chooses for Slammiversary. MVP posed with the World Title on his shoulder and left the ring. EY grabbed the mic and said he won because MVP couldn’t beat him fair and square.
Reaction: Interesting. EY/MVP doesn’t exactly scream “steel cage main event”, but I’m guessing EY will do some crazy spots in the cage just like his Animal Planet show. Since TNA focused the majority of this show on EY against MVP’s group, Lashley will likely step in if they have to go to Plan B for the Slammiversary main event.
